Participants in the women's leadership conference
stop to pose for a group picture on the campus
of the United States Olympic Training Center.
Colorado Springs, Colo. (January 28, 2008) - More than 60 cycling enthusiasts took part in a pair of clinics recently hosted by USA Cycling at the United States Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs. The first, Enhancing Women's Leadership in Cycling, aimed to educate and empower women on how best to enhance the sport of cycling. Simultaneously ongoing January 25-27 was one of USA Cycling’s Level II Coaching Clinics which is designed to expand the knowledge base of certified Level I coaches.
The women’s leadership clinic, brainchild of Kristen Dieffenbach, assistant professor of athletic coaching education at Western Virginia University and Lynda Ransdell, professor and chair of kinesiology at Boise State University, saw 32 female leaders from all levels of cycling converge to share experiences and resources. The pair, along with Sam Callan, USA Cycling’s coaching and education manager, used the session to help empower more women to enhance the sport of cycling.
“The focus of this conference was to draw things together. I would like to see people share ideas and network so these individuals and groups who are scattered all over the country can learn from each other, teach each other, and hopefully spread the word further,” explained Dieffenbach. “We wanted to gauge the waters and start the networking. I hope we empowered people to get out and do something in their own communities.”
A number of experts contributed to the sessions which ran all day Saturday and Sunday and ranged from Training Issues for the Female Athlete, to Nutrition to Enhance Cycling Performance in Women, as well as athlete panels and Q&A brainstorming sessions. Cathy Sellers, coaching manager for the United States Olympic Committee spoke on survival skills for coaches, while Lorri Lee Lown, founder of Velo Girls in California, discussed strategies for creating meaningful women’s programs. Jim Miller, USA Cycling’s director of endurance programs, discussed the evolution of USA Cycling’s Women’s National Team program while participants were able to weigh in on an elite athlete panel that included world champion Alison Dunlap along with several other accomplished female cyclists. Kathie Beals, associate professor of nutrition at the University of Utah, spoke on nutritional strategies and Suzie Riewald, a sports psychologist, helped participants understand the symptoms and methods for dealing with eating disorders.
“I can't thank our fantastic speakers enough for coming through with such unique and interesting presentations, said Dieffenbach. “We were thrilled with the response and turn out from both presenters and participants - we were completely full!”
The ladies concluded the clinic
with a brainstorming session.
With so many experienced and highly esteemed speakers and participants, organizers hope to continue to offer everyone involved the opportunity to meet, learn from and draw energy from each other.
“We would really like to continue this enthusiasm with a follow-up conference and other projects to continue to empower both women, and the men who work with women, to enhance the sport of women's cycling - both with regard to getting more women into the sport for health and fitness and from a competitive standpoint,” said Dieffenbach.
One of five held each year; USA Cycling simultaneously conducted a Level II Coaching Clinic on the campus of the Olympic Training Center. The group of certified Level I coaches expanded their knowledge base around various topics including Sport Physiology, Training Plan Design and Racing Tactics and Strategies.
“The goal (of the Level II clinic) is to give them some tools to be better coaches and consumers of information,” explained Callan. “We give an overview of training concepts, a survey of exercise science, a bit of nutrition and some introductory tactics and strategies.”
For more information on upcoming coaching clinics visit the coaching program portion of the USA Cycling website.
About USA Cycling
Recognized by the U.S. Olympic Committee and the Union Cycliste Internationale, USA Cycling promotes American cycling through its 60,000 members and 2,500 annual events. USA Cycling associations include the BMX Association (BMX), National Off-Road Bicycle Association (mountain bike), U.S. Cycling Federation (road/track), the National Collegiate Cycling Association and the U.S. Professional Racing Organization (professional men’s road). For more information visit www.usacycling.org or contact USA Cycling Director of Communications, Andy Lee at 719-866-4867.
